Top 3 Booking Decisions from Extreme Rules 2018

WWE Extreme Rules 2018 saw two title changes as well as some best and worst moments throughout its entirety.

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Shinsuke Nakamura is the new United States Champion, The B-Team are the new RAW Tag Team Champions. Seth Rollins put up a valiant effort against Dolph Ziggler but failed to capture the WWE Intercontinental Title. The same can be said about Team Hell No, who could not beat the odds stacked against them. Asuka and Nia Jax failed to do the same respectively, thanks to various shenanigans.

While results and title changes keep cropping up every now and then, people always forget to acknowledge the booking that spurs good or best moments from any given WWE PPV, no matter how sparse they are.

So without wasting any further time, let's get right into discussing the Top three Best Booking Decisions from WWE Extreme Rules 2018...

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#1 Everything before, after and during Shinsuke Nakamura versus Jeff Hardy for the U.S Title

The WWE Universe witnessed Nakamura being crowned as the new WWE United States Champion at Extreme Rules 2018.

While that fact alone remains as one of the best moments from last night's show, it was the booking- before, during, and after the match that constructed a sequence which not only benefits the superstars but also provides better storylines for the future.

Let us start before the match actually began.

Jeff Hardy and Nakamura are already in the ring, and the referee is about to start the match. However, Nakamura uses something that is very familiar from his previous feud with WWE Champion, AJ Styles. He low-blows Hardy when the referee's back is turned from them.

This shocks the audience immediately, even though the odds are in Nakamura's favour the whole time.

Why? It comes off as no surprise that Jeff Hardy has been dealing with a lot of pain recently. This matchup always seemed like a perfect catalyst for Nakamura to become the new champion.

However, people did not expect that match to start off this way. The referee waits to start the bout until Hardy assures that he is ready and willing to fight. And that brings us to the events that occur during the match...

Shinsuke Nakamura as the new WWE United States Champion

The bell rings, and without wasting any more time, Nakamura delivers a brutal Kinshasa to put Hardy down for good. The match starts and finishes within a matter of few seconds, and that leaves us with two positives-

Hardy did not have to risk his body (by going to the 'extreme') with all the injuries and pain he has been dealing with lately. And secondly, it solidifies Nakamura as a perfect heel, who is willing to do anything to have his own way.

The effect would not have been the same if this were a normal championship match. Nakamura sealing the victory in a matter of seconds ups the stakes, whilst it also protects Hardy from any further complications at the same time.

Again, if one had to bet his or her money on any match scheduled for this year's Extreme Rules, it would have to be this match. But it is the booking that surprises the entire WWE Universe. It is good, but the story does not end here...

...Randy Orton comes out after the match, to everybody's surprise. We have heard of numerous rumours regarding the return of Dean Ambrose or even Jason Jordan, but does SmackDown Live really need Orton anymore?

Turns out, the Viper not only benefits his character but also includes more to this storyline, as the viper adds insult to injury, and attacks a defeated Hardy. But looking at Orton, we quickly realize that this is not just any other simple 'attack'.

It is a statement. Orton is a heel now- and he is better in that persona. Nakamura's facial reactions add more to this superlative piece of writing.

Now we know why this is a great booking decision. It has a distinct beginning, middle and an end. The fans are entertained (and surprised). The flow is continuous and encourages viewers to tune in to the next edition of SmackDown Live...

#2 A significant progress when it comes to The Universal Title (and Brock Lesnar)

WWE RAW General Manager Kurt Angle finally decided to acknowledge Brock Lesnar's poor attitude towards his duty as RAW's top champion (on paper) and his attitude towards the WWE in general.

This one is pretty simple. Either Lesnar shows up on RAW as he is supposed to, either that, or he could very well be stripped of The Universal Title if this goes on.

They also acknowledged the fact that he had decided to make an appearance on UFC rather than appear on RAW and defend the title as he is contractually obligated to do so.

Neat and classic booking, as it encourages the viewers to tune in to RAW and find out how this story shapes up further.

However, with that being said, it is the third and final piece of booking on the next slide that struck a personal chord with me due to several reasons...

#3 Braun Strowman versus Kevin Owens

Many contrasting moments during this match had some sort of story fuelling its purpose. Let us begin by asking ourselves- Is there any reward for either of the two competitors involved in this match?

The simple answer is- NO.

But there is something behind it that makes this contest so great. Storytelling.

Kevin Owens is a heel. But he is being portrayed as a helpless individual being pitted against a monster. As Corey Graves subtly puts it, Owens is the 'goat' from Jurassic Park, and Braun Strowman is the 'T-Rex'.

Strowman wants chaos. Owens wants freedom. And the steel-cage match will reward an ending to this story. There are several moments when Strowman could have easily escaped from the steel-cage.

However, this is more than something as mere as a simple victory. Owens would be more satisfied in being miles away from this monster rather than just simply win this match, and that is what makes this story so great.

The actions inside the ring perfectly fit this mentality. Owens is thrown and battered around the ring. But Strowman wants more chaos, and so the battering continues. Just when we think there is no hope left for poor Owens, the underdog turns the tables via a simple prop- handcuffs.

This picture perfectly encapsulates their story

The handcuffs prevent Strowman from getting his hands on Owens. But we are once again reminded that Owens is a heel- as he mocks Strowman by performing the DX cross chop.

It also elevates the crowd response. Soon, our sympathies lie with Strowman- who is unfortunately manipulated by an individual that deserved all the beatings he received so far.

Just like any other good story, the villain should never push his luck, for the hero, Strowman is only angered further, that gives him the strength to not escape but simply break free of the handcuffs.

We all know what happens next. Braun Strowman rushes to the top, chasing Owens, with an undeniable agility that leaves the crowd in awe.

Strowman chokeslams Owen from the top of the cage and right through the announcer's table. This amazing spot is eerily reminiscent of Mankind falling from the top of the HIAC structure, which makes it all the better.

Owens has sacrificed his body for the sake of this amazing story (and booking). However, as always, just like Jurassic Park- the T-Rex always stands tall, and no matter how vicious it is, somehow our sympathies always lie with this giant carnivore- just like it does with Braun Strowman.

Props to both of these performers for displaying amazing storytelling, and in the end, it does not matter whether there is a championship belt for them or not, what does matter is that the fans left entertained. and that final spot will always be ingrained in our memory as a sign of respect for Owens (and this story)...

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Do you agree with these decisions? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below!